Concentration: Neurobiology
background
Neurobiology is one of the most exciting fields within biology
today. The basis of neurological disease, molecular mechanisms
of brain function and behavior are major foci of research in medicine,
biotech companies, and academic environments. These fields are
of great potential for standard research approaches, as well as
in pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications to address
problems of brain disease and brain function.
requirements for the Neurobiology Concentration
(17 - 18 CU)
The Concentration in Neurobiology within the Biology Department
will provide you with fundamental training in brain function
and
behavior, coupled with a molecular genetic background essential
to address molecular mechanisms of brain function at the gene
and protein levels.
Completion of the Concentration in Neurobiology will be noted
on the student’s
transcript. Students with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher
who submit an honors thesis will be eligible for Honors in the
major. Note that a Biology major who begins a Neurobiology Concentration
but does
not complete
it,
must fulfill the requirements for the Biology major, including
four appropriately distributed 200-level Biology courses.
Here are the core requirements (12 - 13 CU) (a):
|
|
Track 1: BIOL 121
and BIOL 124
|
2.0
cu
|
Introduction to Biology- The Molecular Biology
of Life and Introduction
to Oraganismal Biology Lab
|
|
or |
or |
or |
|
Track 2: BIOL
101 and 102 (or BIOL 121 and 122)
(see Note below) |
3.0 |
Introduction to Biology
- A and B |
|
Biology
|
221
|
1.0
|
Molecular Biology and Genetics
|
|
|
251
|
1.5
|
Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
|
|
|
436 or
442 or
451 |
1.0
|
Molecular Physiology or
Neurobiology of Learning
and Memory or
Systems Neuroscience |
|
Chemistry
|
001 or 101 and 102
053 and 054 or
241, 242, and
245
|
3.0
|
Introduction to Chemistry or
Organic Chemistry |
|
Math
|
104
114 or 115
STAT 102 or 111 or
BIOL 446
|
2.0
|
Calculus and/or statistics
|
|
Physics
|
102 or
151
|
1.5
|
Introductory Physics
|
|
Note: Class of 2009 or earlier may use BIOL
091 (1.0 cu) and either BIOL 121 or 122 (1.5 cu) to satisfy requirement
for one year of introductory biology.
Elective requirements (3 CU)
Select two cellular,
molecular and developmental neurobiology courses from the
list
below (a) :
|
|
|
|
Cell Biology and Biochemistry
|
|
|
354
|
1.0
|
Developmental Biology
|
|
402 |
1.0 |
Biochemistry |
|
|
421
|
1.0
|
Molecular Genetics
|
|
|
425
|
1.0
|
Molecular Biology and Genetics Superlab
|
|
436 |
1.0 |
Molecular Physiology (counts
as an elective only if not taken as required
Advanced Neurobiology course) |
|
|
480
|
1.0
|
Advanced Cell Biology
|
|
|
488
|
1.0
|
Advanced Topics in Behavioral Genetics
|
|
BIBB
|
269
|
1.0
|
Chemistry of the Brain
|
| |
350 |
1.0 |
Developmental
Neurobiology |
| |
370 |
1.0 |
Drugs,
Brain, and Mind |
| |
480 |
1.0 |
Biological
Basis of Psychiatric Disorders |
| |
482 |
1.0 |
Clinical
Psychopharmacology |
| |
492 |
1.0 |
Experimental
Methods in Synaptic Physiology |
PHYS |
280 |
1.0 |
Physical Models of Biological Systems |
Graduate Courses
|
|
BIOL
|
526
|
1.0
|
Experimental Principles in Cell and Molecular
Biology
|
|
540 |
1.0 |
Genetic Systems |
INSC |
572 |
1.0 |
Electrical
Language of Cells (Neuroscience Core II) |
|
|
596
|
1.0
|
Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
|
|
|
597
|
1.0
|
Developmental Neurobiology
|
|
...and one systems and integrative neurobiology course
from the list below (a) :
|
|
|
|
Vertebrate Physiology
|
|
|
231
|
1.0
|
Animal Behavior
|
|
|
432
|
1.0
|
Animal Cognition
|
|
442 |
1.0 |
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (counts
as an elective only if not taken as required Advanced
Neurobiology course) |
|
452 |
1.0 |
Systems Neuroscience (counts
as an elective only if not taken as required Advanced
Neurobiology course) |
|
BIBB
|
227
|
1.0
|
Physiology of Motivated Behaviors
|
|
|
249
|
1.0
|
Cognitive Neuroscience
|
|
|
421
|
1.0
|
Human Brain Imaging
|
|
|
460
|
1.0
|
Neuroendocrinology
|
|
PSYC
|
451
|
1.0
|
Animal Communication
|
Graduate Courses
|
INSC |
573 |
1.0 |
Systems and Integrative Neuroscience (Neuroscience
Core III) |
|
592 |
1.0 |
Cognitive Neuroscience |
| |
593 |
1.0 |
Structural Neurobiology |
|
Research Experience (b)
:
|
|
|
|
Independent Research
|
|
|
499
|
1.0
|
Advanced Independent Research
|
|
|
(a)
|
Other appropriate advanced undergraduate
or graduate level courses may be included if the student
obtains prior approval from one of the concentration
advisors. Students interested in graduate-level courses
must obtain permission from their concentration advisor
before enrolling.
|
|
(b)
|
Also required: a written thesis
based on research performed in BIOL 399 and 499 plus
a presentation
of this work as a poster in the annual Symposium
on Undergraduate Research in Biology (SURB).
|
how to apply
Contact any of the following advisors for more information on
the concentration:
sample curriculum
Listed below is a sample curriculum that incorporates
the requirements for the Neurobiology Concentration as well as
courses needed to for the General Requirement, foreign language
proficiency, and the pre-medical program.
|
BIOL 121 [or 101]
(1.5 CU)
|
|
BIOL 124 (0.5 cu)
[or 102 (1.5 cu)]
|
| MATH 104 (1.0 CU) |
|
CCHEM
101 and 053 (1.5
CU) |
| GE
requirement (a)
(1.0 CU) |
|
MATH
115 (1.0 CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
|
GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
| Total 4.5 CU |
|
Total 4.0 or 5.0 CU |
|
|
CHEM 102 and 054
(1.5 CU)
|
|
BIOL 221 (1.0 CU)
|
| PHYS 101 (1.5
CU) |
|
PHYS 102 (1.5 CU) |
| GE
requirement (1.0 CU) |
|
GE
requirement (1.0 CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
|
GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
| Total 5.0 CU |
|
Total 4.5 CU |
|
|
BIOL 251 (1.5 CU)
|
|
AN (c) or major
elective* (1.0 CU)
|
| CHEM 241(b) (1.0 CU) |
|
CHEM 242(b) (1.0 CU) |
| GE
requirement
(1.0 CU) |
|
GE
requirement (1.0 CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
|
GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
| |
|
GE requirement (1.0 CU) |
| Total 4.5 CU |
|
Total 5.0 CU |
|
|
BIOL 399 (1.0 CU)
|
|
BIOL 499 (1.0 CU)
|
| AN (c) or major elective*
(1.0 CU) |
|
Major elective* (1.0
CU) |
| CHEM
245(b) (1.0 CU) |
|
Major
elective* (1.0 CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
|
GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0 CU) |
|
|
| Total 5.0 CU |
|
Total 4.0 CU |
|
|
(a)
|
The College requires all students to complete the General
Education curriculum. Usually, a total of 20.0 credit
units appropriately distributed for the General Education
requirements and free electives are needed. These requirements
include competency in a foreign language. See specific
details at http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/index.html
|
|
(b)
|
These courses are not required for the Neurobiology
Concentration but are required for the pre-medical curriculum
and are strongly recommended for students planning to
pursue graduate studies in Neurobiology.
|
(c) |
AN = Advanced Neurobiology course:
Biol 451 is offered in the Spring, Biol 436
and 442 are offered in the Fall. |
|
*
|
Choose from the Neurobiology concentration
course list: two CU in Cellular,
Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology and
one additional cu in Systems and Integrative
Neurobiology are required.
|
alternatives to this concentration
Students interested in Neurobiology but unable to complete all
the required courses for this concentration are encouraged to
major in Biology and choose as many of the courses in this concentration
as possible. If a student leaves the Neurobiology Concentration,
he or she should be aware that three or four appropriately distributed
200-level courses are required for the Biology major - see your
advisor or the Undergraduate Coordinator for details. Other related
majors included Psychology and the Biological Basis of Behavior.
|
Undergraduate Program